Altmire up 16 points on Critz in internal poll

By Josh Lederman - 01/20/12 03:38 PM ET

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) has a 16-point lead over his primary opponent, Rep. Mark Critz (D-Pa.), an internal poll released Friday by Altmire’s campaign suggested.

Altmire is at 50 percent and Critz at 34 percent in the survey by Democratic pollster John Anzalone. The poll also put Altmire’s favorability rating at 57 percent and his name recognition at 74 percent in the newly redrawn district. The campaign did not release figures for Critz’s favorability or name recognition.

Altmire and Critz, two Democrats who have been allies in the House, were pitted against each other by redistricting, which combined their districts and forced the two to square off in a primary. The redrawn district incorporates Johnstown, Critz's culturally conservative but economically liberal base, and the suburban Pittsburgh territory that is home to many of Altmire’s supporters.

"We're encouraged. The fact is Jason starts off representing two-thirds of the district, yet he's only able to get 50 percent of the votes," said Critz spokesman Mike Mikus. "That shows Mark has a lot of room to grow."

The poll of 503 likely primary voters was conducted Jan. 10-15 and had a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

Reports also emerged Friday that Mike Turzai, the majority leader in Pennsylvania’s state House, was also entering the race. The AP reported that Turzai has been telling top GOP leaders in the state of his plans.

Altmire responded quickly to those reports, calling it another reason why the Democratic primary was of utmost importance.

“Democrats need to nominate the candidate who can run the strongest campaign in the general election against Rep. Turzai, in the Republican-leaning district that he drew for himself,” Altmire said in a statement.

Critz also announced he would be unveiling a major endorsement on Monday at the headquarters of United Steelworkers in Pittsburgh. An endorsement by the influential union would be a major boon for Critz.

Unions have made no secret of their distaste for Altmire, and their support could be crucial to determining the race’s victor.

—This post was updated at 2:53 p.m.